MN Vikings in Danger of Playing Outside USA Again?

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell - International Series -Mexico City
Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

Earlier this week, the NFL world learned that the San Francisco 49ers will play one of their 2026 home games at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. That’s interesting, since the Minnesota Vikings are one of nine away teams on San Fran’s home slate this season.

The 49ers will obviously play one home game against each of their three NFC West rival (Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals), plus interdivision matchups vs the Vikings, Eagles, Commanders, Broncos and Dolphins.

Minnesota Vikings in the mix for yet another international game?

But on Wednesday, one of ESPN’s top Latino reporters, John Sutcliffe (based in Mexico, just a few hours outside of Mexico City) put a video out on socials breaking down the Niners’ most likely opponent for their game south of the border. In summary, he gets the “feeling” it’ll be the Vikings.

Naturally, Sutcliffe did the video in spanish, but we’ve transcribed it for you and come out with what we believe is a pretty accurate translation of why Sutcliffe is led to believe Minnesota makes the most sense to meet San Francisco down in Mexico City.

“It’s been confirmed that the 49ers are coming to the Azteca Banorte. Against who? Let’s continue with all this information. [The Niners] are already going to play a division game in Australia against the Rams. You’re not going to play against Seattle [in Mexico] when they were crowned [Super Bowl champs] in your home, right? You want those matches at home.

And also, I don’t think the teams that market in Mexico like San Francisco does — Miami [Dolphins], [Las Vegas] Raiders, and [Denver] Broncos [will want to share the spotlight]. It’s like a Quinceanera, right? You’re spending all the money. You want to throw the party. You don’t want to divide the spoils with others, you want the whole party.

So, I don’t see [those teams in the mix]. My feeling is that it’s going to be the Minnesota Vikings — Vikings vs 49ers, in the Azteca Banorte. How do you see it? I’ll read it and answer you. John Sutcliffe, reporter for Cancha.”

John Sutcliffe – ESPN (translated from spanish)

It makes a ton of sense logistically… at least for the 49ers

There’s little doubt Sutcliffe has well-connected sources, both in the league offices and down in Mexico City, who he talked to before posting the above video. Nonetheless, his logistical argument for the Vikings, alone, is compelling.

Essentially, the 49ers won’t want to play any of their division games outside of Levi Stadium, which eliminates three home games. Meanwhile, the Broncos, Raiders and Dolphins all share international marketing rights in Mexico, meaning those opponents would take some of their shine south of the border.

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So realistically, that leaves the Eagles, Commanders, Vikings… which makes Sutcliffe’s choosing of Minnesota that much more intriguing.

The MN Vikings played two games last season, in Europe, one against the Browns in Dublin and the other in London against the Steelers. They also played a home game in London during the 2024 season, meaning a game in Mexico City would be the purple’s third straight season with a game played outside of the United States.

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